Closing arguments begin in South Korean president's impeachment trial

Record ID: 325162

  • Title: Closing arguments begin in South Korean president's impeachment trial
  • Date: 27th February 2017
  • Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (FEBRUARY 27, 2017) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF SOUTH KOREAN CONSTITUTIONAL COURT / POLICE OFFICERS STANDING FLAG OF SOUTH KOREAN CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
  • Embargoed: 13th March 2017 06:08
  • Keywords: South Korean constitutional court closing argument president Park Geun-hye impeachment trial
  • Location: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
  • City: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
  • Country: South Korea
  • Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Judicial Process/Court Cases/Court Decisions
  • Reuters ID: LVA00265AP2RP
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: EDITORS NOTE: PLEASE REFER TO STORY 5107 SOUTH KOREA-POLITICS/PARK TIMELINE AND 5108 SOUTH KOREA-POLITICS/PARK PROFILE FOR FILE MATERIAL
    Closing arguments began on Monday (February 27) in South Korean President Park Geun-hye's impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in Seoul.
    The corruption scandal erupted late last year over accusations that Park colluded with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, to pressure big businesses to donate to two foundations set up to back the president's policy initiatives.
    Park was impeached by parliament in December and has been stripped of her powers while the Constitutional Court decides whether to uphold parliament's impeachment vote, with Hwang acting president in her place.
    A former prosecutor who is part of the team representing Park, Lee Joong-hwan, and a leader of the ruling Saenuri Party legislators on the parliamentary impeachment proceedings committee, Kwon Sung-dong, have started the closing argument at the hearing.
    However, Park didn't attend her impeachment trial.
    The court has not said when it would deliver a verdict but according to past practice, a decision could be expected after about two weeks.
    For the impeachment to stand, at least six of the eight judges must rule in its favour. The seat for the court's ninth judge was vacated when its chief retired at the end of January.
    Should the court uphold parliament's impeachment of Park, the country will hold an election within 60 days of that ruling.
    Earlier in the day, South Korea's acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn's office said it will not extend the current special prosecutor's investigation into the political scandal beyond the February 28 deadline.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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